Country Profile

Myanmar is currently passing through a crucial period of political reform, against the background of rapid economic growth and international openness. The successful November 2015 parliamentary elections capped a landmark year for the country. Myanmar has undergone changes that only a few years ago might have seemed unlikely, if not impossible. These events took place just over a decade since the government began moving on its “Roadmap to Democracy,” and three years after the country’s most famous former dissident, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, took her seat in Parliament. Much of the current political debate concerns amendments to the constitution. At the same time, ethnic and religious conflicts will continue to present a challenge to any government in Naypyidaw. Yet Myanmar has advantages, including a commitment to reform among its large and youthful population. It is also home to significant natural resources, as well as a great deal of international good will. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson, National League for Democracy; and an interview with Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister, Singapore.